Venues: Best, Worst, Most Unusual You've Been To

Drjohnrock · 08-10-2024, 07:57 PM

In my case:

Best: Southgate House Revival, Newport, Kentucky

Newport is across the river from Cincinnati. The club was in a huge old mansion until early 2012, then moved a few blocks east to an old church (and "Revival" added to the name) later that year. There are three stages: the Sanctuary (the old church sanctuary, where most national level acts play), the Revival Room (former Sunday school room upstairs, where national acts with smaller followings and some local acts play), and the downstairs Lounge (mostly local acts, with the occasional naitonal act). I've seen a lot of great shows at both locations over the years. The best music club around, IMHO.

Worst: Bogart's, Cincinnati, Ohio

This sewer pit of a club used to have a stanglehold on national touring acts. Thankfully, the dump now has a lot of competition. It's located near the University Of Cincinnati in a bad area that's getting worse. The employees are total jerks and the restrooms make the infamous ones at the old CBGBs look like the Waldorf Astoria. I've boycotted the place for years and always say the only way I'll go back is if XTC reforms with the original lineup and plays there.

Most Unusual:

The Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove, New Jersey

Owned by an offshoot of the United Methodist Church, it was built either during the Civil War or in 1894 (the story varies). It's largely made of wood and looks like it will catch fire if you stare at it too long. The sect holds services there but rents the place out for secular concerts (which is how I saw the place). During the summer, members of the offshoot (derisively called "The Tent People" by locals) gather in a huge field across from the venue and pitch huge tents that look like not-so-small replicas of row houses. I was there during the summer and it was, uh, quite the experience.

All three I've mentioned are still in operation. But great venues I've been to that are no longer around are The Jockey Club (Newport, Kentucky--legendary punk club), The Renaissance (Cincinnati), Staches, Little Brothers, and the Ohio Center (all in Columbus, Ohio), and a lot more I can't think of right offhand.

SweetHeartHolly · 08-11-2024, 03:43 AM

I can't really say what's been the best or worst place that I have been to for a show. As long as the show goes on and nothing bad happens while the singers are on the stage, I am not going to have any complaints. The following are the places that I remember going to.

River Bend in Cincinnati Ohio (3)
Little Nashville Opry in Nashville Indiana (5)
Thompson Boling Arena in Knoxville Tennessee (4)
Neyland Stadium in Knoxville TN (1)
Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine TN (1)
Dollywood Celebrity Theater in Pigeon Forge TN (4)
Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge TN (1)
Greenbelt Park Ampitheatre in Maryville TN (3)
Chilhowee Park in Knoxville TN (5)
Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN (2)
J Fred Johnson Stadium in Kingsport TN (4)
Viking Hall in Bristol TN (1)
Rogersville City Park in Rogersville TN (2)
Greene County Expo Center in Greeneville TN (1)
Tennesse Theatre in Knoxville TN (1)
Bijou Theatre in Knoxville TN (2)
Grainger County Tomato Festival in Rutledge TN (1)
Open Chord Music Venue in Knoxville TN (1)

God bless you always!!!

Holly

Buckeye Randy · 08-11-2024, 07:50 AM

Many of my favorite artists are on the club circuit. This works perfectly for me because I love arriving four hours early so I can wait in line and then stand at the stage. It makes me believe in the American dream because there is no fast pass to the front. Those who put in the work are rewarded!

Beachland Ballroom - a big square room with a sunken stage that is two doors down from a vacant lot where mobster and local hero Danny Greene's house was blown up in 1975. Some of my all-time favorite concert experiences are here; NY Dolls, Television, Ian Hunter, Nick Lowe and dozens of others.

Jacobs Pavillion (also known as Nautica Stage, Scene Pavilion, The Plain Dealer Pavilion) - The most picturesque venue I've ever been at. A tent covered pavilion facing a river with a backdrop of ships and the Cleveland skyline. Great family outings to this place seeing Alice, Sex Pistols, Dropkicks, Rancid, Flogging Moly, Violent Femmes and others.

Least favorite by a country mile is...
Blossom Music Center - The summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra is supposed to be acoustically perfect. Maybe it is great sitting on the lawn for the orchestra but the pavilion is the oddest sounding place I've ever been. The crowds are notoriously late and the openers play in a half empty echo box. I'm a fan of Elvis Costello and several years ago he opened for Steely Dan. I struggled to identify songs until they were well into them, it was horrible. This is only part of the reason it's the worst. Who thought it was a good idea to put a 23,000 capacity amphitheater in Cuyahoga Valley National Park? The two-lane road that feeds Blossom Music Center is ill equipped to handle the traffic. It's not uncommon to wait over two hours after the show before hitting the road. Complaints aside, I've seen Aerosmith, Jethro Tull, The Offspring, Steely Dan, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren and others. The rule here is the closer you are to the stage the better it sounds.

Drjohnrock · 08-11-2024, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetHeartHolly

Tennesse Theatre in Knoxville TN (1)
Bijou Theatre in Knoxville TN (2)

Knoxville is a great city. I'd love to see shows at these two.

Drjohnrock · 08-11-2024, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye Randy

Many of my favorite artists are on the club circuit. This works perfectly for me because I love arriving four hours early so I can wait in line and then stand at the stage. It makes me believe in the American dream because there is no fast pass to the front. Those who put in the work are rewarded!

Beachland Ballroom - a big square room with a sunken stage that is two doors down from a vacant lot where mobster and local hero Danny Greene's house was blown up in 1975. Some of my all-time favorite concert experiences are here; NY Dolls, Television, Ian Hunter, Nick Lowe and dozens of others.

Jacobs Pavillion (also known as Nautica Stage, Scene Pavilion, The Plain Dealer Pavilion) - The most picturesque venue I've ever been at. A tent covered pavilion facing a river with a backdrop of ships and the Cleveland skyline. Great family outings to this place seeing Alice, Sex Pistols, Dropkicks, Rancid, Flogging Moly, Violent Femmes and others.

Least favorite by a country mile is...
Blossom Music Center - The summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra is supposed to be acoustically perfect. Maybe it is great sitting on the lawn for the orchestra but the pavilion is the oddest sounding place I've ever been. The crowds are notoriously late and the openers play in a half empty echo box. I'm a fan of Elvis Costello and several years ago he opened for Steely Dan. I struggled to identify songs until they were well into them, it was horrible. This is only part of the reason it's the worst. Who thought it was a good idea to put a 23,000 capacity amphitheater in Cuyahoga Valley National Park? The two-lane road that feeds Blossom Music Center is ill equipped to handle the traffic. It's not uncommon to wait over two hours after the show before hitting the road. Complaints aside, I've seen Aerosmith, Jethro Tull, The Offspring, Steely Dan, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren and others. The rule here is the closer you are to the stage the better it sounds.

I really like Beachland, too. I remember going to school with a bunch of students from Cleveland and vicinity and hearing them sing the praises of Blossom. It's nice to see a contrary opinion.

Buckeye Randy · 08-11-2024, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drjohnrock

I remember going to school with a bunch of students from Cleveland and vicinity and hearing them sing the praises of Blossom. It's nice to see a contrary opinion.

It's people drinking the Kool-Aid that the media peddles! It's fair to say that every area likes to do a little self promotion and feel good about itself.

I will say that in the circle of people I talk with it's pretty split on enjoying the Blossom experience. Most the positive reviews are from people sitting in the lawn, most the criticism comes from people in the pavilion.

All this said, I'm still debating on going to the upcoming Rob Zombie/Alice Cooper show. I've never seen Rob and Alice is playing some seldom performed shows this tour plus Nita Straus is back in the fold.

If you ever go there, make sure to arrive early plan on staying late!

SweetHeartHolly · 08-11-2024, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drjohnrock

Knoxville is a great city. I'd love to see shows at these two.

Both of those places in your quote were beautiful when I was there.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

Buckeye Randy · 08-13-2024, 08:33 AM

Most beautiful, Akron Civic Theater.

I attempted to post a photo...no can do!

Here is a link
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...kron_Ohio.html

08-10-2024, 07:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Drjohnrock Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 378	Venues: Best, Worst, Most Unusual You've Been To In my case: Best: Southgate House Revival, Newport, Kentucky Newport is across the river from Cincinnati. The club was in a huge old mansion until early 2012, then moved a few blocks east to an old church (and "Revival" added to the name) later that year. There are three stages: the Sanctuary (the old church sanctuary, where most national level acts play), the Revival Room (former Sunday school room upstairs, where national acts with smaller followings and some local acts play), and the downstairs Lounge (mostly local acts, with the occasional naitonal act). I've seen a lot of great shows at both locations over the years. The best music club around, IMHO. Worst: Bogart's, Cincinnati, Ohio This sewer pit of a club used to have a stanglehold on national touring acts. Thankfully, the dump now has a lot of competition. It's located near the University Of Cincinnati in a bad area that's getting worse. The employees are total jerks and the restrooms make the infamous ones at the old CBGBs look like the Waldorf Astoria. I've boycotted the place for years and always say the only way I'll go back is if XTC reforms with the original lineup and plays there. Most Unusual: The Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove, New Jersey Owned by an offshoot of the United Methodist Church, it was built either during the Civil War or in 1894 (the story varies). It's largely made of wood and looks like it will catch fire if you stare at it too long. The sect holds services there but rents the place out for secular concerts (which is how I saw the place). During the summer, members of the offshoot (derisively called "The Tent People" by locals) gather in a huge field across from the venue and pitch huge tents that look like not-so-small replicas of row houses. I was there during the summer and it was, uh, quite the experience. All three I've mentioned are still in operation. But great venues I've been to that are no longer around are The Jockey Club (Newport, Kentucky--legendary punk club), The Renaissance (Cincinnati), Staches, Little Brothers, and the Ohio Center (all in Columbus, Ohio), and a lot more I can't think of right offhand.

08-11-2024, 03:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
SweetHeartHolly Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2024 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 120	I can't really say what's been the best or worst place that I have been to for a show. As long as the show goes on and nothing bad happens while the singers are on the stage, I am not going to have any complaints. The following are the places that I remember going to. River Bend in Cincinnati Ohio (3) Little Nashville Opry in Nashville Indiana (5) Thompson Boling Arena in Knoxville Tennessee (4) Neyland Stadium in Knoxville TN (1) Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine TN (1) Dollywood Celebrity Theater in Pigeon Forge TN (4) Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge TN (1) Greenbelt Park Ampitheatre in Maryville TN (3) Chilhowee Park in Knoxville TN (5) Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN (2) J Fred Johnson Stadium in Kingsport TN (4) Viking Hall in Bristol TN (1) Rogersville City Park in Rogersville TN (2) Greene County Expo Center in Greeneville TN (1) Tennesse Theatre in Knoxville TN (1) Bijou Theatre in Knoxville TN (2) Grainger County Tomato Festival in Rutledge TN (1) Open Chord Music Venue in Knoxville TN (1) God bless you always!!! Holly Last edited by SweetHeartHolly; 08-11-2024 at 03:52 AM.

08-13-2024, 08:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
Buckeye Randy Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 281	Most beautiful, Akron Civic Theater. I attempted to post a photo...no can do! Here is a link https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...kron_Ohio.html Last edited by Buckeye Randy; 08-13-2024 at 08:36 AM. Reason: fix photo

08-11-2024, 07:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Buckeye Randy Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 281	Many of my favorite artists are on the club circuit. This works perfectly for me because I love arriving four hours early so I can wait in line and then stand at the stage. It makes me believe in the American dream because there is no fast pass to the front. Those who put in the work are rewarded! Beachland Ballroom - a big square room with a sunken stage that is two doors down from a vacant lot where mobster and local hero Danny Greene's house was blown up in 1975. Some of my all-time favorite concert experiences are here; NY Dolls, Television, Ian Hunter, Nick Lowe and dozens of others. Jacobs Pavillion (also known as Nautica Stage, Scene Pavilion, The Plain Dealer Pavilion) - The most picturesque venue I've ever been at. A tent covered pavilion facing a river with a backdrop of ships and the Cleveland skyline. Great family outings to this place seeing Alice, Sex Pistols, Dropkicks, Rancid, Flogging Moly, Violent Femmes and others. Least favorite by a country mile is... Blossom Music Center - The summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra is supposed to be acoustically perfect. Maybe it is great sitting on the lawn for the orchestra but the pavilion is the oddest sounding place I've ever been. The crowds are notoriously late and the openers play in a half empty echo box. I'm a fan of Elvis Costello and several years ago he opened for Steely Dan. I struggled to identify songs until they were well into them, it was horrible. This is only part of the reason it's the worst. Who thought it was a good idea to put a 23,000 capacity amphitheater in Cuyahoga Valley National Park? The two-lane road that feeds Blossom Music Center is ill equipped to handle the traffic. It's not uncommon to wait over two hours after the show before hitting the road. Complaints aside, I've seen Aerosmith, Jethro Tull, The Offspring, Steely Dan, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren and others. The rule here is the closer you are to the stage the better it sounds.